CVE-2008-1423 in libvorbis
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in a certain quantvals and quantlist calculation in Xiph.org libvorbis 1.2.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted OGG file with a large virtual space for its codebook, which triggers a heap overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-1423 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libvorbis library version 1.2.0 and earlier, developed by Xiph.org. This issue specifically affects the quantvals and quantlist calculation mechanisms that are fundamental components in the processing of OGG audio files. The flaw arises when the library encounters a crafted OGG file containing a large virtual space for its codebook structure, creating conditions where integer arithmetic operations exceed their maximum representable values. Such overflow conditions typically occur during the parsing and memory allocation processes that occur when the library attempts to handle the malformed audio data structure.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the codebook structure within OGG files, where attackers craft malicious files containing oversized virtual space parameters that trigger integer overflow during the quantvals and quantlist calculations. When the libvorbis library processes these malformed files, the overflow conditions cause the heap memory management to fail, resulting in either a crash of the application or potentially more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. The integer overflow specifically impacts the memory allocation calculations, where the library attempts to allocate heap memory based on the oversized virtual space values, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to redirect program execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can enable remote code execution when applications using libvorbis process malicious OGG files. This affects a wide range of software applications including media players, web browsers, and multimedia frameworks that rely on libvorbis for audio decoding. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web environments where users may unknowingly download and play malicious audio files, making it a significant risk for web-based applications and services. The flaw demonstrates the classic security principle where integer overflow vulnerabilities can transition from benign denial of service to serious privilege escalation or code execution scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-1423 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches to libvorbis versions that address the integer overflow conditions in quantvals and quantlist calculations. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected applications and libraries to versions containing proper integer overflow checks and bounds validation. Additionally, implementing input validation controls at network boundaries and application level can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a typical scenario where improper input validation leads to memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving memory corruption and privilege escalation through software exploitation, with potential impact on application availability and system integrity. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing and restricting user access to potentially malicious content to minimize the attack surface.
The remediation process requires comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the integer overflow protections do not introduce regressions in legitimate audio processing functionality. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious OGG file patterns. Regular vulnerability assessments should include checking for outdated libvorbis installations, as this vulnerability has remained relevant due to its impact on numerous applications and the continued use of older library versions in various software ecosystems.